Glen Lake Association offers boat wash workshop
From staff reports
By washing our recreational watercraft we can keep the number of invasive species down in our inland lakes. Invasive species are the biggest threat to the water quality and recreational use of our lakes. Invasive species, both plant and animal, are spread from the Great Lakes and inland lakes, rivers, and streams mainly by recreational watercraft and bait boxes. Over 186 invasive species are now in the Great Lakes. By using the technology already being used by the Glen Lake Association, Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, and Higgins Lake, as well as by washing our own boats we can keep the number of invasive species down in inland lakes.
A boat wash workshop will be held on April 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Leelanau Community Government Center Community Meeting Room, lower level. Learn protocol for washing your own watercraft and recreational equipment and the importance of using the boat wash at the DNR site on Little Glen Lake. Learn from three different boat wash operations how to set up, operate, and fund a boat wash operation for your lake, or in your area or township.
A member of the Glen Lake Association will review the Isaac Walton League directives for washing your own boat to prevent the spread of invasive species. Chris Otto from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will share the Park’s boat wash policies including the three heated power wash systems they are using which are critical in preventing the spread of plant and animal invasive species and Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS), a bleeding disease in fish.
Rick and Ann Meeks from Higgins Lake will discuss how they developed plans, funded, and constructed a Self-Serve-Boatwash for Higgins and Houghton Lake. Plans will be given as a handout. Sallyanne Morris, Head of the Glen Lake Boat wash Operation, will share her insights from the day-to-day operation of the boat wash, and procedures followed at the DNR site on Little Glen Lake. This boat wash has been in operation for 28 years. Mike Litch, a Glen Lake Association Board member will discuss funding of the Little Glen Boatwash from a lake association perspective. Matt Wurtzel will demonstrate the Hotsey heated power wash system being used by Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore and being purchased as an upgrade by the Glen Lake Association. Watercraft Disinfections Stations for VHS will be reviewed.
The Boatwash Workshop is free and open to the public.
